Washing machine capable of filtering foreign substances and washing method using the same

ABSTRACT

A washing machine for washing laundry is disclosed herein and includes a washing tub which has a water inlet port through which washing water flows into the washing tub, a filter guide unit which is installed to cover the water inlet port and has a filter mounting portion comprising a set of grooves, a filter unit which is mounted on the filter mounting portion and has a first set of ribs and a set of second ribs which are provided at the lateral sides of the filter unit, and the set of grooves which is provided in the filter mounting portion and allows the set of second ribs to be fastened thereto. A washing method using the washing machine is also disclosed. Foreign substances such as dust or lint are removed from the washing water using the filter unit and foreign substances are prevented from attaching to the laundry.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit and priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0154500, filed on Nov. 7, 2014, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing machine and a washing method using the same, and more particularly, to a washing machine which removes dust, lint, and other foreign substances from washing water supplied to a washing tub, and a washing method using the same.

BACKGROUND

In general, washing machines, including drum type washing machines and pulsator type washing machines, include a washing tub that holds both laundry and washing water for washing laundry. Drum type washing machines wash laundry using friction between the laundry and the inner surface of the washing tub and the impact which occurs when laundry falls during rotation of the washing tub, where the washing tub is parallel to the ground. Pulsator type washing machines wash laundry using water that is agitated when a pulsator in the washing tub is rotated, where the washing tub is perpendicular to the ground.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of an exemplary pulsator type washing machine having a single washing tub according to embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a pulsator type washing machine 100 has a filter unit 300 for removing foreign substances, and a filter guide unit 200 for mounting the filter unit 300 to the interior of the washing machine.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a water storage tub 120 of the pulsator type washing machine 100 is positioned around a washing tub 130 which stores laundry. In the pulsator type washing machine 100, water used to wash laundry is supplied from the water storage tub 120 to the washing tub 130 during washing, and water which has been used to wash laundry (e.g., used washing water) is discharged from the water storage tub 120 during a spin-dry process using a water drain port 150.

The used washing water may also include foreign substances such as lint, dust, dirt, and the like that have been separated from laundry, and as a result, foreign substances may become attached to an inner surface of the water storage tub 120 and remain attached when the used washing water is discharged from the washing tub 130 and the water storage tub 120. A filter unit 300 is used to remove foreign substances from the washing water.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary prior art filter unit 300A which may be detachably mounted on a filter guide unit. As depicted in FIG. 2, lateral sides of the filter unit 300A have a first set of ribs 310A that couple to lateral sides of a filter guide unit. While coupled in this way, a gap may exist between the filter guide unit and the filter unit 300A, and washing water may unfortunately leak through the gap due to pressure caused by washing water passing through filter unit 300A. Accordingly, the foreign substances remaining in the water storage tub may flow into the washing tub without being filtered. The foreign substances may include dust, dirt, lint, and the like that may contaminate the laundry being washed. In addition, a gap between the filter unit 300A and a filter guide may gradually widen due to the pressure of the washing water.

SUMMARY

Provided herein is a washing machine capable of preventing leakage of washing water, and preventing dust, foreign substances, and the like from mixing with washing water when the washing machine is operated by coupling a filter unit to a filter guide unit positioned over a water inlet port of a washing tub such that leaks are prevented.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a washing machine including a washing tub comprising a water inlet port on an inner surface of the washing tub through which washing water flows into the washing tub, a filter guide unit covering the water inlet port and comprising a filter mounting portion, wherein the filter mounting portion comprises a set of grooves on the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion, and a filter unit removably coupled to the filter mounting portion and comprising a first set of ribs on the lateral sides of the filter unit, and a second set of ribs on the outer edge of the lateral sides of the filter unit, wherein the set of grooves is removably coupled to the second set of ribs.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, washing water is prevented from leaking through a gap between the filter guide unit and the filter unit when washing water flows in, and it is possible to supply the washing tub with washing water that is advantageously free from foreign substances.

This summary contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary pulsator type washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary filter unit according to the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary filter unit for filtering foreign substances and the like in an exemplary washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary washing tub and filter of an exemplary washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary filter for filtering foreign substances and the like in an exemplary washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a washing machine according to the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 illustrate a washing machine 100 according to the present disclosure and includes a washing tub 130 which has a water inlet port 110 through which washing water flows into the washing tub 130, a filter guide unit 200 which is installed to cover the water inlet port 110 and has a filter mounting portion 210 comprising a set of grooves 220, a filter unit 300 which is mounted on the filter mounting portion 210 and has a first set of ribs 310 and a second set of ribs 320 which are provided at the lateral sides of the filter unit 300, and the set of grooves 220 on the filter mounting portion 210 which enables the second set of ribs 320 on the filter unit 300 to be fastened thereto.

With regard to FIG. 1, a pulsator type washing machine 100 is depicted according to embodiments of the present invention and comprises a water storage tub 120 for holding washing water, a washing tub 130 in the water storage tub 120 which is capable of rotating and holding laundry, a pulsator 140 on a bottom surface of the washing tub 130, wherein the pulsator 140 comprises an impeler capable of rotating and causing water to flow, and a water drain port 150 for collecting and discharging washing water from the washing tub.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the impeller of pulsator 140 protrudes from an upper surface of the pulsator having a circular shape, and force caused by the rotation of the pulsator 140 (e.g., centrifugal force) causes washing water to flow up and down, and laundry is washed by the energy that is generated when laundry moves and falls due to the flowing water (e.g., friction or agitation). When the washing machine 100 is operated, washing water flows in through the water inlet port 110 and passes through the filter unit 300 mounted on the filter guide unit 200, which is installed on an inner surface of the washing tub 130, to remove foreign substances (e.g., dust, dirt, or lint) from the washing water or from the water storage tub 120. The water is then supplied to the washing tub 130.

The water inlet port 110 is an opening through which the washing water may flow therethrough. The water inlet port 110 is positioned on an inner surface of the washing tub 130 and allows the washing water to flow into the washing tub 130 from the water storage tub 120.

With regard to FIG. 3, an exemplary filter unit 300 capable of filtering foreign substances from water is depicted according to embodiments of the present invention. The filter unit 300 has a first set of ribs 310 on the lateral sides of the filter unit 300, second set of ribs 320 adjacent to the first set of ribs 310 on an outer edge of the lateral sides of the filter unit 300, a catching projection 330 on an upper end of the filter unit 300 that is deformable (e.g., elastic), the rotary grooves 340 on a bottom portion of the first set of ribs 310, a fixing projection 350 at a bottom end of the filter unit 300, and a filter net 360 on a front surface of the filter unit 300 capable of capturing (e.g., filtering) foreign substances. The filter guide unit 200 and the filter unit 300 may be tightly coupled to each other to prevent leaks.

With regard to FIG. 4, the filter guide unit 200 and the filter unit 300 may be coupled to each other to seal the lower end, the upper end, and the lateral sides to prevent water leaks. The fixing projection 350 at the lower end of the filter unit 300 may be coupled to the filter mounting portion 210 by inserting the fixing projection 350 into a bottom end of the filter mounting portion 210. The rotary grooves 340 are positioned to couple with the rotary projections 240 at a lower side of the filter guide unit 200. According to some embodiments, the rotary projections 240 of the filter guide unit 200 may be coupled to the rotary grooves 340 of the filter unit 300 to form a hinge such that a portion of the filter unit 300 may be fixed to the filter guide unit 200 while the remainder of the filter unit 300 may rotate around the fixed portion. The first set of ribs 310 of the filter unit 300 may be fitted into the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion 210 of the filter guide unit 200.

The catching projection 330 may be positioned at an upper end of the filter unit 300. The catching projection 330 may be caught by (or inserted into) the catching groove 230 at an upper end of the filter guide unit 200. Accordingly, the filter unit 300 may be detachably coupled to the filter guide unit 200 using the catching projection 330 and the catching groove 230.

The filter guide unit 200 covers the water inlet port 110. The filter guide unit 200 has a filter mounting portion 210, and the filter unit 300 is removeably fastened to the filter mounting portion 210. A set of grooves 220 of the filter guide unit 200 is positioned at the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion 210, a catching groove 230 is positioned at an upper end of the filter mounting portion 210, and the rotary projections 240 are positioned at a lower end of both lateral sides of the filter mounting portion 210. The filter unit 300 may be inserted into the filter mounting portion 210 to mount the filter unit 300 inside of the washing machine 100 and filters out foreign substances in the washing water.

The filter unit 300 may be tightly attached and coupled to the filter mounting portion 210 of the filter guide unit 200 on an inner surface of the washing tub 130 such that the washing water is prevented from leaking through any gaps between the filter guide unit 200 and the filter unit 300, and only filtered washing water that is free of foreign substances is supplied to the washing tub 130.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second set of ribs 320 is provided at the outer edge of the lateral sides of the filter unit 300. The set of grooves 220 is positioned in the filter mounting portion 210 of the filter guide unit 200 such that the second set of ribs 320 may be fastened to the set of grooves 220. Unlike the prior art, the second set of ribs 320 is provided on the filter unit 300 in addition to the first set of ribs 310, such that the second set of ribs 320 and the set of grooves 220 may be fastened to each other, according to embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent washing water from leaking through a gap between the filter unit 300 and the filter guide unit 200, or prevent foreign substances from flowing out of the washing tub 130 through a gap between the filter unit 300 and the filter guide unit 200.

The present disclosure further provides a washing method using the washing machine 100 which prevents water from leaking through any gaps between the filter unit 300 and the filter guide unit 200, or which prevents foreign substances from flowing out of the washing tub 130 through a gap between the filter unit 300 and the filter guide unit 200. According to some embodiments, a washing method comprises providing washing water to the washing tub 130, filtering the washing water using the filter unit 300 installed on an inner surface of the washing tub 130, and washing laundry using the filtered water, where the first set of ribs 310 provided on the filter unit 300 is coupled to the filter mounting portion 210 of the filter guide unit 200, and the second set of ribs 320 provided on the filter unit 300 is fastened to the set of grooves 220 of the filter guide unit 200 to preventing the washing water from leaking.

A exemplary detailed washing method will now be described according to embodiments of the present disclosure. When the washing machine 100 is operated, the washing water held in the water storage tub 120 passes through the filter guide unit 200, filter unit 300, and the water inlet port 110 of the washing tub 130, and is supplied to the washing tub 130 that holds laundry. Pulsator 140 on a bottom surface of the interior of washing tub 130 is rotated. The washing water may include foreign substances. The foreign substances are filtered by the filter net 360 of the filter unit 300 as the washing water flows into the washing tub 130 and the foreign substances are captured in the filter net 360.

In this case, the set of grooves 220 of the filter guide unit 200 and the second set of ribs 320 of the filter unit 300 are in tight contact with each other, such that the washing water does not leak because there is no gap between the filter guide unit 200 and the filter unit 300, even at the coupling portions of the filter guide unit 200 and the filter unit 300. The washing water is provided into the washing tub 130.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention are capable of removing foreign substances such as dust or lint in washing water supplied through the water inlet port 110, and dirt attached to the water storage tub 120, thereby preventing foreign substances from being attached to the laundry.

When the washing machine 100 is operated for a long period of time, a large amount of foreign substances (e.g., dust, dirt, or lint) is captured in the filter net 360 of the filter unit 300. The foreign substances may obstruct the supplied washing water from flowing or degrade the ability of washing machine 100 to remove foreign substances included in the washing water. In this case, the filter unit 300 may be removed from the filter guide unit 200 by pressing on the catching projection 330 of the filter unit 300 that is inserted into the catching groove 230 of the filter guide unit 200 and then by pulling outwards, thereby separating the filter unit 300.

The separated filter unit 300 may be used again after removing foreign substances captured in the filter net 360 of the filter unit 300, or a new filter unit 300 may be used.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a washing tub comprising a water inlet port on an inner surface of the washing tub through which washing water flows into the washing tub; a filter guide unit covering the water inlet port and comprising a filter mounting portion, wherein the filter mounting portion comprises a set of grooves on the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion; and a filter unit removably coupled to the filter mounting portion and comprising: a first set of ribs on the lateral sides of the filter unit; and a second set of ribs on the outer edge of the lateral sides of the filter unit, wherein the set of grooves is removably coupled to the second set of ribs.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the first set of ribs is coupled to the filter mounting portion when the filter unit is inserted between the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion.
 3. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising: a catching projection disposed at an upper end of the filter unit; and a catching groove disposed at an upper end of the filter guide unit and capable of receiving the catching projection.
 4. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising: a fixing projection disposed at a lower end of the filter unit and coupled to a lower side of the filter mounting portion.
 5. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising: rotary grooves disposed at a lower end of the lateral sides of the filter unit; and rotary projections disposed at a lower end of the lateral sides of the filter guide unit, wherein the rotary grooves and rotary projections are coupled together to form a hinge.
 6. A washing method using the washing machine of claim 1, the washing method comprising: providing washing water to a washing tub; filtering the washing water using a filter unit located on an interior surface of the washing tub; and washing laundry using the filtered water, wherein a first set of ribs on the filter unit is coupled to a filter mounting portion of a filter guide unit, and a second set of ribs on the filter unit is coupled to a set of grooves on the filter guide unit to prevent the washing water from leaking.
 7. A washing method, the washing method comprising: providing washing water to a washing tub; filtering the washing water using a filter unit located on an inner surface of the washing tub; and washing laundry using the filtered water, wherein the washing machine comprises: a washing tub comprising a water inlet port on a surface of the washing tub through which washing water flows into the washing tub; a filter guide unit covering the water inlet port and comprising a filter mounting portion, wherein the filter mounting portion comprises a set of grooves on the lateral side of the filter mounting portion; and a filter unit removably coupled to the filter mounting portion and comprising: a first set of ribs on the lateral sides of the filter unit; and a second set of ribs on the outer edge of the lateral sides of the filter unit, wherein the set of grooves is removably coupled to the second set of ribs to prevent the washing water from leaking.
 8. A washing machine comprising: a washing tub comprising a water inlet port on a surface of the washing tub which allows washing water to flow into the washing tub; a filter guide unit covering the water inlet port and comprising a filter mounting portion, wherein the filter mounting portion comprises a first groove on a first interior surface of a first lateral side of the filter mounting portion and a second groove on a second interior surface of a second lateral side of the filter mounting portion; and a filter unit removably coupled to the filter mounting portion and comprising: a first set of ribs; and a second set of ribs adjacent to the first set of ribs on a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the filter unit, wherein the first and second grooves are removably coupled to the second set of ribs.
 9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the first set of ribs is coupled to the filter mounting portion when the filter unit is inserted between the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion.
 10. The washing machine of claim 8, further comprising: a catching projection disposed at an upper end of the filter unit; and a catching groove disposed at an upper end of the filter guide unit and capable of receiving the catching projection.
 11. The washing machine of claim 8, further comprising: a fixing projection disposed at a lower end of the filter unit and coupled to a lower side of the filter mounting portion.
 12. The washing machine of claim 8, further comprising: rotary grooves located at a first lower end of the filter unit; and rotary projections located at a second lower end of the filter guide unit, wherein the rotary grooves and rotary projections are coupled together to form a hinge.
 13. A washing method using the washing machine of claim 8, the washing method comprising: providing washing water to a washing tub; filtering the washing water using a filter unit located on an interior surface of the washing tub; and washing laundry using the filtered water, wherein a first set of ribs on the filter unit are coupled to a filter mounting portion of a filter guide unit, and second set of ribs on the filter unit are coupled to grooves on the filter guide unit to prevent the washing water from leaking. 